Tuesday, February 19, 2008

After having a long weekend, I get back to my desk this morning and my tulips have blossomed! They are so pretty!

I had a lot of fun at the MAC Pro Store on Robertson Blvd., sound familiar? That's the infamous street where all the paparazzi lurk waiting for celebrities to come out of shops and cafe's. Luckily there was no chaos yesterday, so it was nice and calm around Beverly Hills.

I even got awesome parking, right in FRONT of the store! I swear I felt like I was in heaven walking in there, SO many products, every color and product you can imagine! I was in awe by how many things they had!

Some of you asked me about the difference between MAC PRO, MAC Freestanding Stores (the regular MAC stores in your local mall), and the ones in department stores such as Nordstrom's and Macy's. So here is the breakdown, it MAY vary from State to State:Department Store MAC's: They have LIMITED items, they DO NOT sell pigments, brushes (only the ones that come out with a collection), mixing mediums, PRO colors, palettes, refill pans, chrome cakes, lip erase, etc. They just sell eyeshadow pots, concealer, lipsticks, lipglasses, blush pots, skincare, cleansers, foundation...

MAC Freestanding Stores: They sell the palettes, refill pans to put in the palette, full range of brushes, accessories (sponges, jars, eyelashes), pigments (not PRO pigments), as well as everything mentioned above. You can also return items bought at a MAC Freestanding Store to a PRO store and vice versa.

MAC PRO Stores: They have EVERY MAC Product imaginable! Mixing mediums with alcohol, gel, water, for the body, eyelash, multi-purpose (like foiling pigments), all the pigments (inc. PRO), PRO lipstick and Eyeshadow shades, newest collections, accessories, brushes, eyelashes...the reason MAC PRO items cannot be purchased online is because it's designed for those who are true makeup artists, going to school for it, and/or those who contribute to the makeup industry such as photographers, models, actors. But you can still buy PRO things in person at the store or the 800 number on the macpro site. There is no difference in price, the pigments are the same all the way around, for some weird reason certain colors are PRO while others aren't (for every MAC product) I have no clue why...lol. PRO stores just offer more in terms of color range, variety, and quantity but prices are the same, so for example there is no difference in price between a regular lipstick or a PRO lipstick.

They already had the new Beauty Powder Blushes out, I didn't walk out with any because the colors seemed whatever to me or they were similar colors to some blushes I have...although I think I liked two of them. Sorry I didn't get any of the blush names, I didn't want to get caught with my camera!

I really wanted to get the PRO eyeshadow in "Bio-Green" but they were sold out in both the refill pans AND the pot! Argh I was so disappointed! I guess i'll just put in an order over the phone...

I bought: Lip Erase in "Dim", Pigments: Emerald Green (PRO), Bright Fuchsia (PRO), and Fuchsia, as well as Fafi Blush in "Fashion Frenzy", and Lipstick in "Show Orchid".

- Lip Erase: Neutralizes the lip color so that you can really see the color payoff of your lipstick and lipgloss. Also great for doing a neutral/nude lip. You can also use concealer, however most of MY concealers are yellow-based so I bought this so it's more of a neutral color....

- Emerald Green Pigment: Bought this solely for MAC Pigment Samples so it WILL be available soon!

- Fashion Frenzy Blush (Fafi Collection): I exchanged "Hipness" Blush for this simply because the "Hipness" blush wasn't working for me, it would concentrate so much color on one spot no matter how lightly I applied or what brush I used. Then I realized that I already have some blushes that are orangey so I figured id get Fashion Frenzy instead which I like a lot!

- "Show Orchid" Lipstick: I love, love, love this lipstick! I KNOW, ANOTHER HOT PINK LIPSTICK!!!! Talk about the PERFECT HOT PINK! I tried "Chatterbox" and "Girl About Town, as well as "Impassioned", "Immodest", etc., and out of all the amplified creme lipsticks, this one by far is the perfect hot pink! It's just so gorgeous and definitely wearable! Gezebel, you know you wanna try this one!!! This one maybe IT! Hehe :)

Swatches:

Fun N' Sexy Lipstick & Show Orchid Lipstick (PRO Color):

Wearing "Show Orchid" Lipstick:

I also went back to CVS and bought more of the Milani Eyeshadows while they were on sale, I also picked up Milani blush in "Mai Tai" to "replace" my Hipness blush, LOL! They actually look similar...

hey! actually the department mac stores here do sell pigments and they do sell brushes, I dont know why its very limited over there. And I scored bio green last friday, I've yet to use it but its gorgeous!

Hi Stephanie! Nope there is no difference in price, the pigments are the same all the way around, for some weird reason certain colors are PRO while others aren't I have no clue why...lol. PRO stores just offer more in terms of color range, variety, and quantity but prices are the same, so for example there is no difference in price between a regular lipstick or a PRO lipstick.

Love it when you have your hauls so I can drool over them!! :P Show Orchid looks gorgeous on you! I was thinking about getting that and Girl About Town, too. By the way, the new Milani wet/dry es, would you say they are the same colors as the old versions even though it's different formula? Anyway, love love shamrock!!! Will definitely going to get some too.

Anonymous- Like I mentioned on my blog, it's a MAC PRO item, meaning it's only available at MAC PRO stores. That's why you will not find it on the website...it's on www.macpro.com. There is no difference in terms of performance, one is just for the lip and one is just for the eye....

Angie- Thank you! No the NEW Milani WET/DRY e/s are TOTALLY different colors from the original! A lot more shimmer too!

sweet haul Nessa! that emerald pigment looks like it would work well with the new Milani shadow...dang...I'm going to have to keep an eye out for your next pigment sampling, I may have to get that one!

Oh wow, those new Milani's are GORGEOUS! Do you know if any online stores sell them that ship to the UK? I have to have Royalty and Black Out! :) Now if only I could steal that giant Fafi cut-out that was in the PRO store window ;)

Hey Vanessa, I check your blog everyday religiously...you are SO adorable. I've noticed that you have a liking for pink l/s and l/g, I was at CVS yesterday, and L'oreal came out with a PINK collection. It includes 3 pink l/s and 3 pink l/g. I know they are the colors you would like, just giving you the heads up. Anyway, LOVE your blog, keep up the good work!

Hi Vanessa, I think the reason why certain pigments are PRO because they contain powerful ingredients that are more intense than regular pigments and may causes temporary staining. Some of them aren't lip-safe.

Em: Gosh the PRO store on Robertson is just gorgeous and huge! It's seriously a nice playground! :)

Mayaari: Yup!I just did a video (still have yet to post it) where I also noticed that Milani "Shamrock" really resembles "Emerald Green" Pigment! And I love Show Orchid a lot! It's a beautiful pink!

Cassandra- Thank you beautiful! :)

Kitty- Unfortunately I do not know of any online sites that sell them nor to the UK...if I find one i'll let you know! And I know I want to steal one of those too! They are too cute!

Christiana- HAHA sis, I know it's a damn addiction! At least the Milani eyeshadows I bought were cheap buys!

NicNic- Thanks! I love the Slimshines, I wish I had one in every color!

Iamgrape- Awww thank you! Glad you are enjoying the site and I really appreciate the support! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and for the heads up!

Honey- Yeah, there are many pigments that are not suitable for the lip which is why I am glad they have a lot of colorful Amplified Cream lipsticks! But also at the regular MAC stores they have pigments that aren't to be used in certain areas. Some of the PRO colors are just mostly colors no one in their right mind would wear like bright orange, and in this case bright fuchsia!

Anonymous- Lip Erase is about $16.50 I believe and is only sold in MAC PRO stores. I will show how it looks like on the lips in an upcoming review on it...so stay tuned!

AHHHHHH! You went! We'll have to go back with together again sometime. Haha... I love everything you got! Its funny because it's me and the hubby's wedding anniversary today and he told me he was gonna take me to the pro store for our anniversary. lol We're about to leave right now. Haha... I'll post on my loot later today :) This was a great post!

gah! i have GOT to get myself to the MAC Pro store here in SF. i keep meaning to go during my lunch hour, but it's a cab ride away, and i hate taking cabs.

however, this number (800) 387-6707 is MAC Pro's customer service number and *anyone* can order over the phone. i confess i haven't tried it yet. i have another number, but i think that one is where they ask you for a Pro Member ID. the above number does not.

p.s. HOW COME YOU LOOK SO GOOD IN PINK LIPSTICKS AND I CAN'T?! *pouts*

Hey do you know the name of the new eyeshadow collections? I am an avid mac fan and I usually know about all the collections, and didn't know there were new pro shadows, were you able to get a color story at all?

Hey Vanessa :).. awesome haul! Everything is sooooo gorgeous. How would you compare Milani Shamrock to UD Mildew? It looks to similar to Mildew in your pics. Or is it like the old Milani Clover and looks more like MAC Humid? Thanks!

hello there vanessa! great haul soo jealous!!! haha, that mac counter at your macys looks so sad and pathetic! the ones that i have around here are so much better! haha thankgod! since we only have one freestanding store and no mac pro store in site! there maybe be more freestanding store like in the city but i hate going into the city soo many people. i love mac slimshine in bare! i think it goes well for everyone!

I looove this look: http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb273/nessasarymakeup/fashionfrenzy.jpg!

Thank you for posting your great haul! I've been lemming Humid for a while and Shamrock seems like the perfect alternative! I love visiting your blog but at the same time I hate it because it makes me want so many things I don't need, argh :T If only money grew on trees, right? Lol!!

looking forward to your review of lip erase :) my concealers don't work well on my lips so i've been thinking of making a trip to the pro store to get some. But would love to see how it works for you first! could you include a pic of just the lip erase on your lips in the review? i'd appreciate it! :D

p.s. i've been staring at that "show orchid," and i don't think it'll work unless i get the lip erase, too. i think my naturally ruddy lips make the pink turn a wierd color, ya know? but i am reeeeally feelin' that NYX "pandora" -- gorgeous on you!

wow! i can't believe your macy's counter looks like that, but then again i can. in a town like pittsburgh or surrounding areas where ppl don't really appreciate bright/wearable makeup i saw a few counters of that size.. blasphemy!

Hi :) I was wondering if you have to be a Pro Member to shop at a Pro store? Or to buy at one? I am a huge make-up buff/aspiring make-up artist but don't have the money to be a member :( I will be in the LA area and really wanted to check the store out and buy a few things, can I? Thanks!

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